How far is the Rock of Gibraltar from the cruise terminal?
Short answer
The Rock rises directly behind the town, which is about 1.5 km from the cruise terminal. With the cable car closed until 2027, most cruise passengers reach the Upper Rock by taxi Rock tour from the rank outside the terminal.
Detailed answer
Getting into town The cruise terminal on the North Mole is about 1.5 km from the town centre, a flat walk of around 15 to 20 minutes to Casemates Square at the northern end of Main Street. Taxis wait outside the terminal, and shuttle minibuses run on busy days. Getting up the Rock The main attractions, including St Michael's Cave, the Apes' Den and the Skywalk, are high up inside the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. The cable car from Grand Parade has been closed since Tuesday 18 November 2025 for a rebuild and is expected to reopen in 2027, so the realistic options are: Taxi Rock tour: the quickest option on a port day, leaving from the rank outside the terminal, usually with Nature Reserve entry included. On foot: walk through town and enter the reserve at the Moorish Castle, Devil's Gap or Jews' Gate entry points. The climb is steep and exposed, so allow plenty of time. Private cars: only locally registered vehicles may drive into the Nature Reserve. Tickets Entry costs £30 for adults and £22 for children aged 5 to 11, with under-5s free. Tickets bought online can be collected at the three entry points or at the Market Place bus station near Casemates Square, where you can also add a return shuttle service. Timing From October to April the Nature Reserve opens from 09:00 to 18:15, with last entry at 17:45. Leave a generous margin to get back to the ship, especially when several ships are in port.